Mushroom Stroganoff · Vegan
Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff with Cashew Cream
Browned mushrooms in a savory gravy made creamy with blended cashews instead of sour cream. Rich and comforting, with no dairy at all.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Serves
- 4
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
- Cashew cream
- ¾ cup raw cashews
Swaps for raw cashews
Instead of nuts
- Another nut: The same amount. Pecans are sweeter and softer, walnuts slightly bitter, almonds firmer and milder.
- Toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds: The same amount. Smaller and crunchier, with an earthy taste.
- Leave them out, or use chocolate chips or toasted oats: The same amount (or none). Leaving nuts out doesn't change how a batter bakes.
Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.
- 1 cup water, boiling, for soaking
- ¾ cup water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Swaps for lemon juice
Instead of lemon juice
- Lime juice: The same amount. A different, more floral aroma; works almost everywhere.
- Bottled lemon juice: The same amount. More sour and flatter; fine in cooking and baking, less bright in dressings and drinks.
- White wine vinegar or white vinegar: Half as much. Sharper, with no citrus aroma.
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
Swaps for kosher salt
Instead of salt
- Table salt or fine sea salt: About half as much as Diamond Crystal kosher, about ¾ as much as Morton kosher. The same saltiness when measured this way.
- Salt by weight: 1 tsp is about 6 grams of table salt, 5 grams of Morton kosher, 3 grams of Diamond Crystal kosher. The most reliable way to swap, especially in baking and brines.
- Stroganoff
- 1 ½ lb cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
Swaps for olive oil
Instead of olive oil
- Avocado oil or another neutral oil: The same amount. No olive flavor; avocado oil handles higher heat.
- Butter: The same amount. Richer and nutty when browned.
- A neutral oil + more seasoning: The same amount. Dressings lose the fruity, peppery note; a little extra lemon, garlic or mustard makes up for it.
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
Swaps for onion
Instead of onion
- Another onion: The same amount. Yellow is the all-rounder; white is sharper and crisper; red is milder raw and adds color; sweet onions are mildest.
- Shallots: The same amount, chopped. Milder and sweeter, with a hint of garlic.
- Leeks: About 1½ times as much, white and light green parts. Milder and softer when cooked.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Swaps for garlic
Instead of garlic
- Garlic powder: ⅛ tsp for each clove. Mellower and sweeter, with no bite.
- Jarred minced garlic: ½ tsp for each clove. Milder and slightly sour from the preserving liquid.
- ½ tsp dried thyme
Swaps for dried thyme
Instead of thyme
- Fresh thyme: 1 tbsp chopped fresh for each 1 tsp dried (three times as much). Brighter and more lemony.
- Italian seasoning or dried marjoram: The same amount. Close; Italian seasoning adds oregano and basil.
- 1 tsp paprika
Swaps for paprika
Instead of paprika
- Smoked paprika: The same amount. Adds a smoky flavor; lovely in most savory dishes.
- Chili powder: The same amount. Adds cumin, garlic and a little heat.
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Swaps for all-purpose flour
Instead of all-purpose flour
- Gluten-free 1:1 baking flour: The same amount, a blend that includes xanthan gum. A little grittier and more crumbly, browns faster and dries out sooner.
- Bread flour: The same amount. More gluten: chewier cookies and bread, tougher cakes.
- Whole wheat flour: Up to half of the flour. Nuttier, darker and denser.
All 4 swaps for all-purpose flour
Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.
- 2 cups vegetable broth
Swaps for vegetable broth
Instead of broth
- Chicken broth: The same amount. Richer and more savory; not vegetarian.
- Bouillon cube, powder or paste + water: Follow the label for the amount of liquid. Close in flavor; a little saltier.
- Water + extra seasoning: The same amount, with ½ tsp salt per cup and extra garlic, onion or herbs. Flatter and lighter, but fine where other ingredients bring plenty of flavor.
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
Swaps for soy sauce
Instead of soy sauce
- Tamari: The same amount. Richer and a little less salty.
- Coconut aminos: The same amount, plus a pinch of salt. Sweeter and much less salty.
Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
Swaps for dijon mustard
Instead of mustard
- Another prepared mustard: The same amount. Yellow is milder and more vinegary; Dijon is sharper; whole-grain adds texture; spicy brown is in between.
- Dry mustard: 1 tsp dry mustard + 1 tsp water + 1 tsp white wine vinegar for each 1 tbsp. Sharper and less smooth.
- ½ tsp kosher salt
Swaps for kosher salt
Instead of salt
- Table salt or fine sea salt: About half as much as Diamond Crystal kosher, about ¾ as much as Morton kosher. The same saltiness when measured this way.
- Salt by weight: 1 tsp is about 6 grams of table salt, 5 grams of Morton kosher, 3 grams of Diamond Crystal kosher. The most reliable way to swap, especially in baking and brines.
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 12 oz fettuccine, check the label for egg-free
- 1 tbsp kosher salt, for the pasta water
Swaps for kosher salt
Instead of salt
- Table salt or fine sea salt: About half as much as Diamond Crystal kosher, about ¾ as much as Morton kosher. The same saltiness when measured this way.
- Salt by weight: 1 tsp is about 6 grams of table salt, 5 grams of Morton kosher, 3 grams of Diamond Crystal kosher. The most reliable way to swap, especially in baking and brines.
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Swaps for fresh parsley
Instead of parsley
- Dried parsley: 1 tsp dried for each 1 tbsp chopped fresh (a third as much). Very mild; it adds color more than flavor.
- Cilantro: The same amount. Stronger and citrusy; suits Mexican and Asian dishes.
- Celery leaves or chervil: The same amount. Celery leaves are peppery and grassy; chervil is mild with a hint of anise.
Missing something? Tap Swaps next to an ingredient, or see all substitutions.
Steps
- Put the cashews in a heatproof bowl, cover with the⏱ Soak cashews: 15 minwater and let them soak.
boiling (how to boil)
Boil Heat liquid until big bubbles rise and break all over the surface. 1. Use a pot big enough that the water fills it no more than three quarters.2. Cover it to boil faster, over high heat.3. Salt pasta or vegetable water once it boils.4. Add the food, stir, and bring it back to a boil before you start timing. Done when: A rolling boil keeps bubbling hard even when you stir. Safety: Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove, and drain pasta into a colander in the sink, pouring away from you. Steam burns fast: lift lids and foil away from your face, tipping the far edge up first.How to boil water for pasta and vegetables: mistakes to avoid - Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta and add 1 tablespoon salt.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the mushrooms in one layer and cook until⏱ Brown mushrooms: 6 minand their liquid has cooked off.
browned (how to brown)
Brown Cook food in a hot pan until its surface turns brown, which adds rich, roasted flavor. 1. Pat the food dry; for ground meat, let the pan get hot first.2. Add a little oil and spread the food in one layer.3. Leave it alone for a few minutes so the bottom browns, then turn or break it up.4. Work in batches if it won't fit in one layer.5. Pour off extra fat if the recipe says to. Done when: Most surfaces are brown, not gray, and the bottom of the pan has browned bits (they are flavor, not burn). Safety: Hot oil spatters: dry the food first, lay it in the pan moving away from you, and keep a lid nearby. Never put water on an oil fire; slide the lid over it and turn off the heat. Browned outside doesn't mean cooked inside: ground beef needs 160°F, poultry 165°F.How to brown meat and vegetables: mistakes to avoid - Move the mushrooms to a bowl.
- Repeat with 1 tablespoon oil and the remaining mushrooms, then add them to the bowl.⏱ Second batch: 6 min
- Lower the heat to medium. Add the last tablespoon of oil and the onion and cook until soft.⏱ Soften onion: 5 min
- Add the garlic, thyme and paprika and stir until fragrant.⏱ Garlic: 1 min
- Sprinkle in the flour and stir to coat.⏱ Cook flour: 1 min
- Slowly stir in the broth, soy sauce and mustard and⏱ Simmer sauce: 5 minuntil thickened.
simmer (how to simmer)
Simmer Cook liquid just below a boil, with small bubbles breaking the surface now and then. 1. Bring the liquid up over medium-high heat.2. As soon as bubbles rise steadily, turn the heat down.3. Adjust until only a few small bubbles break the surface every second or two.4. Stir now and then and check that it hasn't crept back to a boil. Done when: You see lazy, small bubbles, not a rolling boil. A "bare" simmer has just a bubble here and there. Safety: Steam burns fast: lift lids and foil away from your face, tipping the far edge up first.How to simmer: mistakes to avoid - Drain the cashews.
- Blend the cashews with 3/4 cup fresh water, the lemon juice and salt until completely smooth.⏱ Blend: 2 min
- Cook the fettuccine until al dente.⏱ Boil pasta: 10 min
- Drain the pasta.
- Return the mushrooms to the skillet, turn the heat to low and stir in the cashew cream until hot and creamy. Thin with a splash of water if needed.
- with salt and pepper and serve over the pasta, topped with parsley.
Season (how to season to taste)
Season to taste Add salt (and pepper or acid) bit by bit, tasting as you go, until the food tastes fully of itself. 1. Season meat and vegetables before cooking, holding the salt high so it falls evenly.2. Taste the dish near the end with a clean spoon.3. If it tastes flat, add a pinch of salt, stir and taste again.4. If it tastes heavy or dull, a squeeze of lemon or a splash of vinegar brightens it.5. Stop when another pinch wouldn't make it better. Done when: The flavors are clear and bright, not flat and not salty. Safety: Don't taste dishes that hold raw meat, poultry or eggs; season them by the recipe's amounts and adjust after cooking.How to season to taste: mistakes to avoid
Tap an underlined word for how to do it, or see all techniques.
Tips
- Nut-free: stir in 3/4 cup plain unsweetened soy yogurt off the heat instead of the cashew cream.
- A high-speed blender gives the smoothest cream; with a regular blender, soak the cashews 30 minutes.
Storage
Refrigerate the sauce up to 4 days. It thickens as it sits; loosen with water when reheating.
How long leftovers keep, and freezing and reheating: leftovers and storage.
Quick answers
- What can I swap?
- Instead of nuts: Another nut, the same amount.
- Instead of lemon juice: Lime juice, the same amount.
Nut-free: stir in 3/4 cup plain unsweetened soy yogurt off the heat instead of the cashew cream.
Answered from this recipe's own storage, make-ahead and swap notes.
Estimated nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 630 2,640 kJ
- Protein
- 22 g
- Carbohydrates
- 87 g
- Fiber
- 6 g
- Sugars
- 9 g
- Fat
- 23 g
- Saturated fat
- 3.5 g
- Sodium
- 1,130 mg
Whole recipe, 4 servings: about 2,510 calories.
Estimate from USDA FoodData Central; not medical or dietary advice. Based on 18 of 18 ingredients.
How we estimate
We add up USDA FoodData Central values for each measured ingredient as written and divide by the recipe's 4 servings, so changing the servings or units here doesn't change a serving. Brands, swaps, trimming and cooking all change the real numbers.
Not counted: water (for soaking); kosher salt (for the cooking water).
Estimated cost
About $3.70 a serving
About $14.75 for the recipe as written (4 servings).
Estimate; prices vary by store and region. U.S. average prices for September 2026 from BLS Average Price Data and USDA ERS Purchase to Plate prices updated with the BLS Consumer Price Index. Priced: 14 of 20 ingredients, 99% by weight.
How we estimate
Each measured ingredient is weighed as in the nutrition estimate and priced at the U.S. average: BLS's average price where BLS publishes one, else USDA ERS's Purchase to Plate price for 2017-18 raised to September 2026 with the CPI for that food group. Whole packages, store brands, sales and regions all change the real cost: treat it as a ballpark.
- cremini mushrooms $7.35 ERS
- raw cashews $3.40 ERS
- vegetable broth $1.50 ERS
- fettuccine $1.05 BLS
- olive oil $0.60 ERS
- onion $0.35 ERS
- soy sauce $0.25 ERS
- garlic $0.10 ERS
- fresh parsley $0.10 ERS
- lemon juice $0.10 ERS
- dijon mustard $0.05 ERS
- all-purpose flour $0.05 BLS
Free: water (tap water).
Not priced (no official average price we can match, so not in the total): kosher salt, dried thyme, paprika, black pepper.
More dishes for less: cheap eats.
Goes well with
Picked by our pairing rules: the same kind of kitchen, room in the oven and on the stove, ready in time, and a balance of starch, vegetables and richness.
- Side Garlic Sesame Roasted Broccoli 30 min Uses the oven while the mushroom stroganoff is on the stove. Ready in 30 min, inside the main's 50 min. Brings the vegetables the mushroom stroganoff doesn't have.
- Side Honey Thyme Roasted Carrots 40 min Uses the oven while the mushroom stroganoff is on the stove. Ready in 40 min, inside the main's 50 min. Brings the vegetables the mushroom stroganoff doesn't have.
- Dessert Silky Classic Pumpkin Pie 6 hr 25 min Make it ahead, so it's ready when dinner is.
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Cleanup score 2/5 (more cleanup): 5 things to wash, stainless skillet, stockpot, mixing bowl, blender, colander.
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